Switch mechanism



Lmwm

Nov, '16

H. K. KRANTZ SWITCH MECHANISM origirial Filed August 254 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES ATTORNEY Nov. 16

. K. KRANTZ SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed August 25 1923 Sheets-Sh et 2' ATTORNEY Patented Nov. Mi, 1926.

units stares HUBERT K. KRANTZ, OF ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed August-25, 1923, Serial No. 659.259. Renewed September 25, 1924.

My invention relates to switch mechanism and particularly to switch devices of the enclosed type such as are used in controlling lighting circuits in oflices, residences, factories and similar buildings.

One object of my invention is to provide an enclosed switch with an operating handle accessible exteriorly of the housing and containing mechanism for operating the switch to open and to closed positions with a snap action.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch-operating mechanism having the above characteristics that is contained within the operating handle and which can readily be inspected or repaired.

A further object of my inventlon is to provide a quick make and a quick break switch-operating mechanism wherein the usual triggers and trip devices are elimlnated and wherein the operating mechanism is of simple and inexpensive construction and which occupies a minimum of space.

These and other objects that will be'made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are attained by means of the apparatus herein described and llustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational view of .the enclosed switch-mechanism embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig] 3 is a rear elevational view of the operating handle and mechanism contained therein shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section throughthe operating handle showing details of the apparatus contained therein in side elevation.

'Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes a metal housing 5 having side walls 6 and 7 end walls 8 and 9, a bottom wall 10 and a cover 11 that is pivoted to the housing by means of hinges 12. The housing contains an insulating switch panel 13 that is secured to the bottom 10 of the housing. A double-pole switch that is mounted upon the panel 13 comprisesa pair of switch blade members 14 that are hinged to pivot jaw members 15 and which are movable into engagement with switch jaw members 16. Fuse clips 17 are mounted on the panel for receiving standard cartridge fuses (not shown). The knife switch is of standard construction and is operated by a bent crank rod 18 that is pivotally mounted for oscillation in the side walls 6 and 7 of the housing which constitute a bearing support for the crank rod 18. The crank rod is connected in a well-known manner to the switch blade members 14 by insulating clips 19.

The switch box and switch devices herein 2 shown are of standard construction and it will beunderstood that any preferred switch mechanism or housing may be employed in connection with the switch-operating mechanism described herein. The switch crank rod 18 is provided with an exteriorly extending portion 20 upon which a hollow operat ing handle 21 is mounted for .relative rotary movement therewith. A crank member or plate 22 is fixed upon the'crank rod extension 20 and is provided with crank pins 23 and 24. P t-ary movement of the plate 22 is limited by a stop pin 25 thatis detachably secured to a closure plate 26 that is secured to the side wall 6 of the housing. Movement of the crank rod 18 in either direction is limited by reason of theengagement of the plate 22 with the pin 5 at the depressions 27 and 28 in the pl 22.

A floating member 29, hereinafter referred to as a cam plate, that is provided with an oblong opening 30, i s mounted upon the crank rod extension 20 and is held against longitudinal movement thereon by the crank plate 22 and a hub 31 that is integral with thehandl-e 21. The arcs constitutingthe long sides of the opening are concentric to the pins 23 and 24 and serve to guide the'mov'ement of the cam plate. The cam plate 29 may, however, be moved laterally with respect to the crank rod extension 20 because the oblong hole 30 is of greater dimensions than they diameter of the. rod 20.

The cam plate 29 is provided with a pair of angularly-disposed arcuate slots 32 and 33 through which the stop pin 25 and the crank pins 23 and 24 extend. The cam plate '29 is also provided with shoulders 34 and 35 tively, that are carried by the handle 21, and

serve primarily to assist the operating spring 38 in centering the operating handle with the crank rod 18. They also assist the spring a in driving the cam plate when the handle is moved. The spring 38 yieldingly retains the cam plate 29 with respect to the operating handle in the position indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and is secured at one end to a lug 39 on the handle, and, at the other end, to the cam plate 29 by means of a hook portion 41 that extends through a notch 42, which is a continuation of the slots 32 and It, will be understood that the shoulders 34 and 35 and projections 36 and 37 are not essential to the successful operation of the switch mechanism and may be eliminated if desired. The inneredges of the slots 32 and 33 constitute a pair of angularly-disposed arcuate cam surfaces 43 and 44, respectively, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

Assuming that the parts of the switchoperating mechanism just described are in the positions indicated in Fig. 2, wherein the switch is in its closed position, the operation of the switch mechanism is' as follows: Toopen the switch,the operating handle is moved downward, or rotated in a coilnterclockwise direction. This movement of the operating handle causes the projection 36 to engage the shoulder 34 on the cam plate 29. The natural tendency of the plate 29 would then be to rotate about the crank rod extension as an axis of rotation, but such movement is prevented by reason of the engagement of the pin with the cam surfaces 43 and 44. The cam surfaces 43 and 44, the oblong opening and the-side walls of the handle are so designed that instead the cam 49 plate 29 is caused to rotate about the pin 23 as an axis of rotation without exerting any effort thereon tending to move the pin 23 or the attached crank rod 18. By reason of this arrangement, no tension is applied to the switch tending to prematurelymove it'to open or closed position. Cam surfaces 44 and 43 are concentric to the crank pins 23 and 24, respectively, and consequently fur.- ther'rotation of the operating handle will cause the cam plate 29 to continue to rotate about the crank pin 23 as an axis until the point of intersection 45, which will hereinafter be termed the clearance point of the cam surfaces 44 and 43, has passed the center of the stop pin 25.

When the clearance point 45 of the cam surfaces 43 and 44 has passed the center of the stop pin 25, the spring 38, which has been extended during the opening movement m of the operating handle, will suddenly contract and the end 46 of the slot 32 will engage the crank pin 23 and cause opening movement of the switch with a snap action.

The crank plate 22, operating handle 21 and 5 cam plate 29 will then occupy the same relarecs-n01 tive positions as is shown in Fig. 2, but the operating handle will of course be in the open position and the stop pin 25 will then be in the arcuate slot 32.

\Vhen the operating handle ismoved to its closed position, indicated in Fig. 2, the ex tension 36 on the handle 21 will engage the shoulder 34 and the floating plate 29, and assist the spring 38 in causing the latter to r o tate about the crank pin 24 as an axis of rotation until the clearance point 45 of the cam surfaces 43 and 44 again passes the center of the stop pin 25, at which time spring 38 will again contract and draw the end 47 of the arcuate slot 33 into engagement with the crank pin 24 and cause the crank plate 22, and the switch connected thereto,

to be moved to closed position with a snap action.

As previously stated, the stop pin 25 arrests opening and closing movement of the. crank plaq'e 22 by reason of its engagement with depressions 27 and 28 in the cam-plate. Thes'e depressions are so located withrespect to the stop pin 25, that they donot engage it either on the opening or closing movement of the crank plate 22 until its movement has been partially arrested by a past-center movement of the floating plate 29, which extends the spring 38 and reduces the velocity of rotation ofthe crank plate 22 before it strikes the stop pin 25. The' degree of cushioning action is proportional to the normal clearance between the stop pin 25. and the depressions 27 and 28 in the'c'rank.

mal clearance is provided between stop pin 25 and. the depression 28 in order to provide more cushioning'action on the opening move ment, less cushioning action being required for the closing movement because of the retarding action of the switch aw members on the switch blade members. i

Rotary movement of the operating handle is limitedby lugs 48 and 49 carried by the plate 26, which extend into the casing constituted by the handle and engage the projections 36-and 37, respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, the projection 37 is in engagement with the stop member 49' which has arrested closing movement of the operating handle.

Ill]

The operating handle is provided with ined thereto part way out of the switch jaws:

16 before the clearance point 45 of the cam" plate 29 haspasscd the center of the stop pin 25. Thisaction causes the switch blades to be initially moved by the operating handle before the blades aredrawn from the switch jaws by the action of'the spring.

In order to lock theswitch in open posi- 100 As indicated in the drawings, greater nor- (Ill tion, an integral extension 52 is provided on the plate 26, over which the hasp of a lock (not shown) may be clasped. Closing movement of the switch will then be prevented by reason of engagement of the shoulder 53 on the exterior of the handle 21" with the hasp of the lock.

An important characteristic of the switchoperating mechanism above described is that the spring tends to hold the switch in open or closed position by reason of engagement of the cam surfaces 44 and 43 with the pin 25 which causes the cam plate to occupy either extreme operating position. As the switch is normally centered with the cam plate, it i yieldingly retained in open or closed position.

Another characteristic of the improved switch mechanism is to relieve the switch crank rod of any tension of the spring 38 substantially during the opening or closing movement of the operating handle. This enables independent movement of the switch to either open or closed position if desired for the purpose of inspection or repair. The floating or cam plate serves to prevent opening or closing movement of the switch until the operating handle has moved a predetermined distance, without requiring the usual latch structures for retaining the switch in closed or open position during the preliminary movement of the handle. It has been found in practice that latches soon become worn and are rendered ineffective to retain the switch in open or closed position while power is being stored in the spring for quick opening or closing movement of the switch and release the switch prematurely. In the present construction, wear is centered on the stop pin 25 and the cam surfaces d-iand 4 t. and should the clearance point become worn. the switch will still continue to function in the proper manher. The apparatus is inexpensive to manufacture, practically all parts of it may be made by punching operations, and the number of parts requisite for a quick make-andbreak switch operating apparatus is reduced ti a minimum.

It will be seen that the construction is such that the operation of the device is reversible. that is, rotation of the crank shaft 20 will cause a snap movement of the operating' handle. In such a case, the spring is connected to the driven member. \Vhile I have shown the operating mechanism as applied to a switch structure. it is obvious that the invention includes a mechanical movement capable of wide application for operating other devices.

lVhile I have illustrated but one embodiment of my invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes. modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus'ilthe oating member has moved a predetermin d distance.

2. The combination with a switch member, an operating member therefor, a spring and a floating member having a lost-motion connection to the switch member for actuating the switch member and operable by the operating member and the spring, and a stationary member engaging the floating memher and preventing switch actuating movement thereof until the floating member has moved a predetermined distance.

3. The combination with a double-throw switch member, an operating member therefor, aspring and a floating member for actuating the switch member in either direc tion and operable by the operating member and the spring, of means engaging the floating member and preventing switch actuating movement thereof until the floating member has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating member.

4-. The combination with a switch member, an operating member therefor, a spring and a floating member having a lost-motion connection to the switch member and actuated by the operating member and the spring, of means permitting rotation of the floating men'iber about one point independently of the switch member when the former is actuated by the operating member and permitting switch actuating rotary movement of the floating member about another point when the floating member is moved a predetermined distance by the operating mem her.

5. Switch mechanism comprising a movable switeh member, a crank arm thereon having an operating pin, a support having afiXed pin, an operating member, a floatin-g cam member having a lost-motion connection to the operating member and provided with two angularly-dispoied cam surfaces one of which engages the fixed pin and the other of which engages the operating pin, and a spring for moving the floating member when the latter has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating member.

6. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member, an operating member therefor, a floating member having a lost-motion con nection to the switch, member and actuated member and connected to the switch memher at two separate points whereby the switch may be alternately moved to open and to closed position by the spring member, and means for preventing effective operation of the spring member for actuating the switch until it has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating member.

8. Switch mechanism comprising a rotatable'switeh member, a rotatable operating shaft therefor, an operating member pivoted upon the shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a spring member carried by the operating member and yieldingly con nected to the operating shaft on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the shaft for yieldingly retaining the shaft ina predetermined position with respect to the operating handle and means for rendering the spring incapable of effecting movement of the operating shaft until the spring member has moved a predetermined distance.

9. Switch mechanism comprising a sup port member, a rotatable switch member, a

' rota-table operating handle therefor having a lost-motion connection thereto, a spring control member, a spring member connected at one end to the operating handle and movably connected at the other end to the sup port and in driving connection to the switch member at two separate points, the said spring member being operable by the operating handle and causing movement of the switch. v

10. Switch mechanism comprising a retatable switch member, an operating shaft therefor, an operating handle pivotally mounted on the shaft and rotatable relatively therewith, a pair of switch driving pins. a' cam plate for operating the switch member having a slot therein for receiving the said pins, means on the handle for engaging the said plate and imparting a relative rotary movement thereto, a stop pin engag- 7 ing the slot for determining the orbit of the cam vplate and a spring for operatively moving the cam plate when it has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating handle.

11. Switch mechanism comprising a rotatable switch member, a relatively rotatable operating handle therefor, a cam member operable by the handle and having an angular cam surface and engaging the switch memberat two separate points for driving the switch member in opposite directions, aspring for actuating the cam with a snap action and a fixed pin for engaging the angular cam surface for controlling the opera--- tion of the spring.

12. Switch mechanism comprising a rotatable switch member, an operating handle therefor having a lost-motion connection thereto, a switch operating spring member for normally centering the switch member with respect to the handle, a control member for the spring member for restraining switch operating movement thereof until the handlehas moved a predetermined distance and for flexing the spring member when the handle is moved with respect to the switch member.

13. Switch mechanism comprising a rotatable switch member, a relatively rotatable operating handle therefor and a driving connection between the handle and the switch member comprising a spring, a control member and a floating link normally centering the handle and the switch member and operable by the handle for storing energy in the spring without causing movement of the switch member and permitting free following movement of the switch member, the said link being operable by the spring when the link has moved a predetermined distance for moving the switch member with a snap action.

14. Switch mechanism comprising a rotatable switch member, an operating shaft therefor, an operating handle pivotally mounted on the shaft and rotatable relatively therewith, a pair of switch driving pins, a cam plate for operating the switch member having a slot therein for engaging the said pins, means on the handle for engaging the said plate and imparting a relative rotary 105 movement thereto, a stop pin for determining the orbit of the cam plate and a spring for operatively moving the cam plate when it has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating handle.

15. The combination with a switch memher, an operating member therefor, a yielding member and a floating member having a lost-motion connection to the switch member for actuating it, and operable by the yielding 115 member, of means for preventing switch-actuating movement of the floating member until it has moved a predetermined distance.

16. The combination with a switch member, an operating member therefor, a spring- 120 actuated floating member having a lost-mm tion connection to the switch member for actuating it and operable by the operating member, of means for preventing switch-actuating movement of the floating member 125 until it has moved a predetermined distance.

17. Switch mechanism comprising a movable switeh member, an operating member movable with respect to the switch member,

a yielding member actuated by the operating the spring for actuating the switch until it has been moved a predetermined distance by the operating member.

18. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member, an operating handle therefor movable with respect'to the switch member, a

yielding member for normally centering the switch member with respect to the handle,

a single fixed control member for the yield-' ing member for restraining switch-operating movement thereof in either direction of movement until the handle has moved a pre determined distance.

19. Switch mechanism comprising aswitch member, an operating handle therefor movable with respect to the switch member, a yielding member for normally centering the switch member with respect to the handle, a fixed control member for the yielding member for restraining switch-operating movement thereof until the handle has moved a predetermined distance and for actuating the spring member when the handle is moved with respect to the switch member.

20. Switch 1 mechanism comprising a switch member, an operating handle therefor, an operating member movable with respect to the switch member, a control member for the operating member restraining .witclractuating movement of the operating member until the operating handle has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

21. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member, an operating handle there for ,an operating member movable with respect to the operating handle, a control member for the operating member restraining switclractuating movement of the operating member until the latter has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

22. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member, an operating handle therefor, an operating member movable with re spect to the switch member and the operating handle. a control member for the operating member restraining switch-actuating movement of the operating member until the operating handle has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member..

Operating mechanism comprising a driven member, a .driving member therefor, an. operating member movable with respect to the driven member, a control member for the operating member for restraining driving movement of the operating member until the driving member has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

24. Operating mechanism comprising a driven member, a driving member therefor, an operating member movable with respect to one of the said members, a control member for the operating member for restrainlng driving movement of the operating member until the latter has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

25. Operating mechanism comprising a driven member, a driving member therefor,

actuating the operating member actuated by the driving member.

27. Operating mechanism comprising a driven member, a driving member therefor, an operating member movable with respect to the driving member, a control member for the operating member for restraining driving movement of the operating member until the latter has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

:28. Operating mechanism comprising a. driven member, a driving member therefor, an operating member movable with respect to one of the said members, and positively actuated by the driving member through predetermined limits of movement, a control member for the operating member for restraining driving movement of the operating member until the driving member has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member.

29. Operating mechanism comprising a driven member, a driving member therefor, an operating member movable with respect to one of the said members, a control member for the operating member for restraining driving movement of the operating member until the latter has moved a predetermined distance and a yielding member for actuating the operating member connected to one of the two first saidmembers.

.In testimony whereof, I have hereunto mg member until-the driving member has subscribed my name this 20th day of August, 

